Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance

Towing & roadside assistance—one local call.

Lake View East & North Side focus · 24/7
English & Spanish assistance

Call (312) 451-5785
Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance

Towing & roadside assistance—one local call.

Lake View East & North Side focus · 24/7
English & Spanish assistance

Call (312) 451-5785

Two Flat Tires and One Spare: Do You Need a Tow?

Two flat tires and one spare? Call Rick’s to confirm the right equipment and a suitable tow before moving your car.

Call Rick’s: (312) 451-5785

One spare cannot solve two unusable tires

If two tires are flat, installing a spare on one wheel still leaves a problem on the other. Tell dispatch about both tires at the start of the call. A request for a routine tire change can otherwise miss the equipment and transport planning your vehicle needs.

Once stopped in a safe location, do not continue a normal trip on a conventional flat tire. Michelin’s flat-tire guidance warns that driving on damaged tires can affect handling and cause a rupture. It also specifically advises against continuing on its ZP run-flat tires when more than one tire is punctured. Follow your own vehicle and tire manufacturer’s instructions; run-flat construction is not blanket permission to keep driving.

Temporary spare wheel with portable inflator.
Owner-provided photo: a temporary spare connected to a portable inflator. One spare replaces only one wheel.

Which two tires are flat? That matters

From a safe position, identify the affected wheels as driver-front, passenger-front, driver-rear or passenger-rear. Say whether both are on the same side, on the same axle or diagonally opposite. Do not step into traffic or crawl underneath to inspect them.

Also report anything you already noticed: a bent wheel, a tire pushed out of position, scraping after an impact, or a wheel that will not turn. Do not drive the car to test it. A flat tire and damaged suspension require different loading considerations, and suspension damage needs a vehicle-specific equipment and access check.

Spare installation or towing: confirm before dispatch

Rick’s flat-tire service includes installation of a usable, compatible spare and seized lug-nut removal where suitable. It is not a promise to supply two replacement tires or repair punctures at the curb. Tell us whether your spare is present and whether you have a wheel-lock key.

For two unusable tires, plan for transport unless a qualified assessment establishes another suitable solution. Rick’s offers compatible light-duty wheel-lift towing with dollies when appropriate. The affected wheels, drivetrain, vehicle condition and manufacturer’s towing instructions determine whether our equipment fits the job. We do not offer flatbed towing.

Call Rick’s: (312) 451-5785

Details that help us plan your North Side pickup

  • Vehicle: year, make, model and whether it is AWD, 4WD, front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.
  • Tires: the two affected wheel positions, spare availability and any visible wheel damage.
  • Access: curbside, alley or garage; for garages, posted height, ramps, turns and loading room.
  • Destination: your chosen tire shop and confirmation it can receive the car.

For Lake View East service, provide the nearest intersection and which side of the street the car is on. The same access details help with pickups in Lincoln Park and elsewhere on Chicago’s North Side. Photos can help explain the situation when taken safely; they do not replace an on-site assessment.

What to expect when you call

We review both flat tires, the vehicle and pickup access, then confirm availability, equipment suitability, an arrival estimate and the price. If towing is needed, confirm the receiving shop before the car leaves. A spare installation alone does not make a second damaged tire safe.

For future trips, NHTSA’s tire-safety guidance recommends checking tire pressure, including the spare, regularly. Use the vehicle manual and spare’s labeling for its pressure and operating restrictions rather than assuming every spare has the same limits.

Need assistance now? Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance takes calls 24/7 for Lake View East and Chicago’s North Side. Browse more driver guides after arranging your immediate assistance.

Call Rick’s: (312) 451-5785

If the vehicle cannot be driven safely, review Rick’s wheel-lift towing. Give the pickup and destination, vehicle details, keys, drivetrain and roll/steer condition so equipment and access can be checked.

Choose the service that fits your situation

What to expect when you call Rick’s

  1. Tell us where you are and what happened. Give the exact pickup address, nearest cross street, vehicle year, make and model, and the symptoms. Mention a garage, alley, locked gate or damaged wheel.
  2. Discuss towing or roadside assistance. We ask about the vehicle and access to help determine a suitable service. Wheel-lift towing requires a compatible vehicle and pickup setup; flatbed towing is not offered.
  3. Confirm the details before dispatch. Ask for availability, an arrival estimate and a quote for the described work. Confirm what the quote includes and tell us about any changes. Traffic, access and vehicle condition can affect the plan.
  4. Have access and the next step ready. Have your keys and proof of authorization available. For a tire change, confirm a usable spare; for towing, confirm the destination and drop-off instructions. If the situation differs on arrival, discuss the options and any price change before authorizing additional work.

Call Rick’s for towing and roadside assistance. Tell us your location and the service you need. Rick’s is open 24/7; availability and vehicle suitability are confirmed for each request.

Call Rick’s — (312) 451-5785

About Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance — 24/7 Lakeview & North Side Roadside Assistance

Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance provides 24/7 towing and roadside assistance for drivers in Lake View East, Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Lincoln Park, Uptown, Roscoe Village, Andersonville, Edgewater, Lincoln Square, North Center, Sauganash, and nearby Chicago’s North Side neighborhoods. We help with wheel-lift towing, jump starts, flat tire service, car lockout service, fuel delivery, and emergency roadside assistance when your vehicle leaves you stuck.

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Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance has served Lake View East and Chicago’s North Side with 24/7 towing and roadside assistance since 2000.

Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance

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